Relight The Night - Save Our Signs

On June 20, 2012, the Historic Old Town Pocatello Foundation announced a
symbolic new initiative that blends several interests and passions together into one bright, shiny package dubbed "Relight the Night." Downtown enjoys many glowing traditions including an
awesome collection of vintage signs. These artistic lights of the night once rivaled those of any city.

However, bit by shining bit, Old Town's beckoning signs have begun to fade into
darkness and despair--a stark contrast to the signs of vitality and life so evident in Old Town's many eclectic and artistic events and businesses. The Relight the Night Initiative
intends to reverse the deterioration of these community icons--rescuing and restoring these landmarks--large or small--one by one to their former brilliance and glory as jewels of Pocatello's city
center.

This restoration initiative/campaign will require what its leaders call "a
perfect storm of collaboration,” a community of givers who are passionate about their unique sense of place and a business district willing to create an even more attractive and distinctive
destination. This collaborative storm will be accompanied by "SOS (Save Our Signs) alerts" inviting community members and organizations to come to the rescue of a struggling
sign.

WHY CARE ABOUT SIGNS?

Signs are essentially social--they identify, promote, inform, and advertise. They direct and
decorate. In short, they communicate with their viewers. Signs don't merely advertise, they often possess value in and of themselves. Some become loved simply because of their
visibility from a certain street corner or even from a vantage point across town. They create the "magic of the night" and add a burst of color to even the greyest of
days!

Yet, historic signs pose problems for those who would save them. On occasion, downtown buildings
are sadly reduced to ashes or rubble--leaving their signs essentially "homeless." Or, new business owners and uses may naturally endanger signs as they seek a "new image" rather than one
from a by-gone day. These treasures of chasing light bulbs and flickering neon were originally crafted of the finest materials which nowadays can be prohibitively expensive to
maintain.

Happily, some downtown signs are treasured and capably maintained by their property owners: Pocatello
Electric, Key Bank, The Whitman, Molinelli’s Jewelers, Bangs Office Products, Greyhound Bus Depot, for example. Others, for monetary reasons, experience the misfortune of peeling,
rusting, and languishing away--both in storage yards and on the buildings they grace but definitely not as in their glory days.

Fortunately many of these historic signs call out to the "greater community"--they are signatures from
the past and reminders of beloved events, places, and people. Such signs allow the past to speak to the present in ways that buildings by themselves cannot. They give continuity to public
spaces and become part of the community memory. With so much expense and expertise needed for their rescue, many of Pocatello's signs will require full community involvement and that's
why the Relight the Night Initiative came into
being.

Under Randy Dixon's chairmanship, like-minded organizers are compiling a growing list of "Signs of
Interest" that may need a full rescue or maybe just a bit of resuscitation. Some on the list no longer (or in some cases never did) reside/exist downtown--yet they lit up Pocatello's night
skies for decades.

The first sign to be targeted for renovation was the historic Chief Theater sign. This is perhaps
the most recognizable and most famous of all the downtown neon signs. Many treasured memories were created at The Chief Theater, from first dates, first kisses and even proposals, many a past
and present Pocatello resident has a story to share. The Chief hung over Main Street from 1938 to 1993, when the Chief Theater burned to the ground. It was a community effort to
rehabilitate the theater, which was completed just prior to the fire. Only two pieces of the theater were saved, the tile mosaic from the entryway and the sign. The mosaic was first to be
restored and now sits at the site of the theater. The Chief sign, now completely renovated stands 50’ tall and brightly shines every night on Main Street.

Please take a moment and view the photos from the Chief Sign
installation.A special thank you to all of the donors
who made the sign renovation possible!

The second sign to be repaired was the Greyhound Sign. One of only two remaining in the US today, the Greyhound now runs every evening at it's
home on top of the Historic Greyhound Bus Station Building located on W. Bonneville, in front of the Union Pacific Railroad Depot.

The third sign to be repaired was the Indian Head Sign on the Pocatello High School Auditorium. The relighting ceremony for the completely renovated sign was held in conjunction with the high
school's homecoming in September 2016.

The Chopsticks Cafe Sign was purchased, repaired and was relit during a ceremony in May 2017.

On September 18, 2018 The Paris neon sign and the Key Bank neon sign were both relit during a ceremony hosted by Kind Community.

We need the community's support to continue our work. Signs on the list for renovation and relighting include the Yellowstone Hotel Sign, The Paris, Harrison Jewelers, Teamsters, F.O.E. Eagles,
Fred's Photo and others.

You can be an instrumental part of bringing more light and new life to Historic Old Town Pocatello. Share your pride in our community and please contribute to help "Save Our Signs." Thank
you!

News

Portneuf Valley Farmers Market Now Open!

The premier farmers market in our area is now open from 9am to 1pm every
Saturday through October 26. The Market is also open every Wednesday from May 22 to Aug 28 from 5-8pm in conjunction with Revive @ 5. Located at the Old Town Pavilion, 420 N. Main St.

KIND Community Kick-Off Celebration

September 16!

LET'S
CELEBRATE KINDNESS! Kind Community's 5th Annual Kick-Off to KIND WEEK is on Monday September 16! We invite you to join us at the FREE, family-friendly community street festival in Old Town Pocatello
from the Center Street Underpass to Main Street.

First Friday Art
Walk

October 4!

The October First Friday Art Walk
will be held in locations throughout Old Town on Friday October 4. The festivities will begin at 5pm and will include local and regional art, live music, food, wine tasting and
more. Plan now to come stroll through Old Town and enjoy the charm of our monthly Art Walk!

Get Social.

Connect with us on Facebook and keep up with all the events, exciting shopping opportunities and all the great food at our collection of ethnic restaurants.